ROFLMAO. Around here we refer to those as "Christmas Claims!"
For all the wailing going on on this thread about the big bad insurance companies, there ARE two sides to this story.
One of my favorite stories is the woman in Charlotte who tried to convince my husband that the little "arc" under the door lock (where her keys had OBVIOUSLY scarred the doors for years) was caused by Hurricane Hugo!
I have a good friend who owns an Insurance Adjuster Agency in West Texas.Many times when he had to travel a long distance,I would go along.Claims of all kinds he handled.He always said he worked for the Insurance companies,and it was his obligation to them, was to oversee nonsence claims.He has been referred to an expert on policies.He can spot the littlest insertion that could have an overall impact on any given claim.On the same token,if a claiment has legitimate claim,he ensures they get any and all due them.The things I learned from him were invaluable.As you posted,some of the claims were so far fetched,one would think an alien thought it up!I also learned,people can get VERY nasty,belligerant,and dangerous,if they do not recieve what their perception of a fair settlement should be.He is fair and honest to a fault,but he always carries a gun!!
One last note RE:the scratch on the door.I am in the Auto Body repair business,and people will go to great lenghts to try and have you embellish an estimate.One person wanted me to write up damage on the rear of a vehicle,when the damage was in the front.I had to explain that the damage was not due to the accident,as it was severely rusted.I oltd the person that if I wrote up that damage,the INS.CO.would think I was nuts!I did see some incredible acts of stupidity while road tripping with my friend.As the saying goes,just when you think you have seen it all,you haven't!